Nail Gun + Joist Hanger = Bad Combo?

[PALefty]

I have a deck project on the horizon and I am researching the available fasteners out there. I am going to use SS screws for the floorboards.. most likely ordered from McFeeleys. What I am interested in first... is what I can use for hanging the joists. Ideally, I would like to use my HF Framing Nail Gun if possible. The first question this brings up... is safety. Are you able to use a nail gun in a metal joist hanger? It is hard to align the nail with the hole? If you are off... will it still penetrate? The second question... is what fasteners are available. I see that Paslode makes some hot dipped deck nails for nail guns here. Are these able to be used for joist hangers... or are they intended only for nailing floor boards? Are there other manufacturers that produce similar products? I don't believe anybody makes a stainless version... or do they?

[Stytooner]

I'd hang the hangers with the screws you are using for the deck. While a nail gun may penetrate the hangers, I'd say it was being abused. Also if you miss the hole just barely, then the head isn't holding anything on that side.
I'd pop a couple small nails or screws in for proper placement, then screw them suckers off with the Bad Boy screws. They will certainly be there then. No question about it.

[WayneJ]

Check your local building codes. Joist hangers usualy require special nails made just for the hangers. I don't think the shear strength of a regular nail will pass code.
Wayne

[jAngiel]

I wouldn't use just any framing nailer! They make special nailers just for nailing metal hangers, they have a "positive positioning" tip that you insert in the hole and that's where the nail goes. You can buy one specifically for that purpose or purchase a combo one. I recently bought the bostitch N21PL in a kit with an air hose, cooler (strange combo item) and the nail gun at HD for $199. It comes with two different tips, one for regular framing needs and the positive positioning one for metal hangers.

The thing that I really liked was the ability to shoot 1 1/2" nails all the way to 3 1/2" ones. The 1 1/2" ones are usually for the metal hangers but I just recently used them on a fence for my sister in law. The metal hanger nails are usually quite a bit thicker that normal framing nails, even the ones that you hand nail are thicker than framing nails.

I'm not an expert but I wouldn't use a normal framing nailer. You may luck out and hit the hole correctly but if not I don't know what would happen. It may kick back and make a really dangerous situation, or just jam your gun... It may make a new hole but then again, would that diminish the structural reliability of the hanger ????

Just me, but I wouldn't do it unless I had the correct gun.

I forgot to mention that the N21PL is also a full round head nailer....

[spazlab]

I'd hang the hangers with the screws you are using for the deck. While a nail gun may penetrate the hangers, I'd say it was being abused. Also if you miss the hole just barely, then the head isn't holding anything on that side.
I'd pop a couple small nails or screws in for proper placement, then screw them suckers off with the Bad Boy screws. They will certainly be there then. No question about it.

That most likely is not up to code. Screws just don't have the shear strength.

[JSUPreston]

Also, I'd invest the little bit of cash (around $20) for a magnetic joist hanger jig. It is similar to http://www.rd.com/content/openConten...ontentId=18102, but it has magnets that hold the sides of the hanger at almost the perfect width for a 2x. You can adjust it up to I believe a 2x10 (I think that's what mine does). This one is different from mine, but you get the idea: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

I used mine to build a raised floor in my shop (one half was 8" lower than the other), and it save me a lot of time and effort, unlike the amazon review. I can't remember the brand of the one I purchased, but I got it locally. Hope this helps.

[PALefty]

I wouldn't use just any framing nailer! They make special nailers just for nailing metal hangers, they have a "positive positioning" tip that you insert in the hole and that's where the nail goes. You can buy one specifically for that purpose or purchase a combo one. I recently bought the bostitch N21PL in a kit with an air hose, cooler (strange combo item) and the nail gun at HD for $199. It comes with two different tips, one for regular framing needs and the positive positioning one for metal hangers.

The thing that I really liked was the ability to shoot 1 1/2" nails all the way to 3 1/2" ones. The 1 1/2" ones are usually for the metal hangers but I just recently used them on a fence for my sister in law. The metal hanger nails are usually quite a bit thicker that normal framing nails, even the ones that you hand nail are thicker than framing nails.

I'm not an expert but I wouldn't use a normal framing nailer. You may luck out and hit the hole correctly but if not I don't know what would happen. It may kick back and make a really dangerous situation, or just jam your gun... It may make a new hole but then again, would that diminish the structural reliability of the hanger ????

Just me, but I wouldn't do it unless I had the correct gun.

I forgot to mention that the N21PL is also a full round head nailer....

I have done a little bit of investigation... and came to the same conclusion. I wasn't aware these existed.

joist hanger nailers

Nov/Dec 02' hardware review
>>Hitachi NR65AK
>>Paslode 5250/65S PP
>>Stanley-Bostitch N88RH-2MCN Prototype
>>Senco SN60MC

A bit too pricey for me.. and this one project. I also came across a cheaper alternative that sounds promising:

palm nailers

pc palm nailer

[PALefty]

That most likely is not up to code. Screws just don't have the sheer strength.

That is what I have read. Joist Hanger nails only...

[PALefty]

Also, I'd invest the little bit of cash (around $20) for a magnetic joist hanger jig. It is similar to http://www.rd.com/content/openConten...ontentId=18102, but it has magnets that hold the sides of the hanger at almost the perfect width for a 2x. You can adjust it up to I believe a 2x10 (I think that's what mine does). This one is different from mine, but you get the idea: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

I used mine to build a raised floor in my shop (one half was 8" lower than the other), and it save me a lot of time and effort, unlike the amazon review. I can't remember the brand of the one I purchased, but I got it locally. Hope this helps.

I have seen other gadgets that perform a similar function. I have also read some other sites.. that debate nailing the joist hangers before, during, or after (ie on a rainly day). It seems there are a number of people on each side of the issue. There also seems to be a debate among peole who put the hanger on the joist first (ie while on the ground) and those who put the hanger on the ledger board first.

[sacherjj]

I have seen other gadgets that perform a similar function. I have also read some other sites.. that debate nailing the joist hangers before, during, or after (ie on a rainly day). It seems there are a number of people on each side of the issue. There also seems to be a debate among peole who put the hanger on the joist first (ie while on the ground) and those who put the hanger on the ledger board first.

Nailing them on the ledger before hanging is much easier, but has one drawback. Unless your joist are all exactly the same width, they won't line up. It is much, much easier though. What I will do is take a cutoff of the joist and use that to size the joist hanger. Then layout the joist with numbers and compensate for the difference in width when I nail each hanger. Even this extra work is easier than trying to nail the hangers up after you have secured the ledger board. The scrap piece assures that you have the hanger mounted with the correct thickness as well.

[PALefty]

Nailing them on the ledger before hanging is much easier, but has one drawback. Unless your joist are all exactly the same width, they won't line up. It is much, much easier though. What I will do is take a cutoff of the joist and use that to size the joist hanger. Then layout the joist with numbers and compensate for the difference in width when I nail each hanger. Even this extra work is easier than trying to nail the hangers up after you have secured the ledger board. The scrap piece assures that you have the hanger mounted with the correct thickness as well.

Yes, that would be a benefit....especially since my deck is 8 ft in the air. Though, I may not have the joists in hand when I do the ledger work (and I am using the full 14ft.. so no scrap). I also have to address an issue where the inside of my house is 24''OC and I have to make it 16''OC.

[Hellrazor]

You have to use nails with hangers, screws do not have the strength. I use a palm nailer to install the hard to reach ones, otherwise I pound them in the old way.

[Scottydont]

I use joist hanger nails but I use a palm nailer like Hellrazor. Works great!

[PALefty]

I use joist hanger nails but I use a palm nailer like Hellrazor. Works great!

Which palm nailer do you and Hellrazor use? Is the PC worth $80-90 more than the $20 Grizzly?

[messmaker]

I just got through with a deck and got flamed when I considered using anything other than joist nails. I understand why you use 1.5 inch nails for the beam but a lot of hangers set the joist nail at a 45 degree angle and a hanger nail is too short to reach the beam. You would need a nail that was around 2.5" .Whats up with that?